Global Mining Investing is a reference eBook to teach investors how to think and act as investors with a underlying theme of managing risk. The book touches on a huge amount of content which heavily relies on knowledge that can only be obtained through experience...The text was engaging, as I knew the valuable outcome was to be a better thinker and investor.

While some books (such as Coulson’s An Insider’s Guide to the Mining Sector) focus on one particular commodity this book (Global Mining Investing) attempts (and does well) to cover all types of mining and commodities.

Thursday, September 25, 2014

There is a gross straw argument being perpetrated by economists and market pundits, and that is the prospects of 'rising' or run-away inflation, or at least the ominous threat of such. It is important to note two things:
1. Inflation is a monetary phenomenon
2. Inflation is a red herring
3. Commentators don't even know what inflation is

Consider the following article from Ben Eisen at MarketWatch.com. The concern is that there is 'low fears of inflation'. The reason this is bad is purportedly because:

"Most economists believe some level of inflation is important to a healthy economy".

The problem with this perspective is that they think general price variance is a 'demand phenomenon' rather than a monetary phenomenon. The reason they think its not a 'monetary phenomenon' is because the Fed has launched a monetary stimulus program, and according to them, it disproved the Austrians who argued it would cause inflation. That might well be the argument of some or all Austrian economists, however I would counter that 'cost-of-living' inflation is not the only form of inflation. In an era of ultra-easy monetary conditions (i.e. low interest rates), money has fuelled a speculative bubble. It is easy to observe this in two respects:
1. The high prices for property in Western markets
2. The indebtedness associated with derivatives contracts has ballooned

The reason why we aren't seeing a lot of 'cost-of-living' inflation like in the 1970s and 1980s is simply because in those times there was no prospect of wage restraint. Unions were unfettered in their capacity to demand higher wages, so any rise in prices was destined to trigger a wages spiral. Today, there is no prospect of a wages spiral, not because unions have been busted, as that was merely the 'effect'. The reason is that unskilled workers in Western countries are in a very weak position to demand higher wages. Few industries are in a position to demand higher wages, and the reason is that:
1. Few industries (like mining, ports and government services) can get away with it without precipitating a shift in services offshore to emerging markets where labour is far cheaper.
2. There is no peer support from other unions for such rises. They are a collective organisation. You are not going to see 80% of union members supporting wage increases for 20% of members.

The flipside was that union membership has fallen instead because unions can no longer deliver on what members wanted - higher pay.

So what do we make of this logic?

"The U.S. central bank is targeting a 2% annual rise in consumer costs. The drop in market forecasts for inflation implies investors think the Fed will abandon that mandate and raise rates".

The reality is that the 'cost-of-living' inflation is destined to tread a path broadly inline with the rate of money supply increase. The reason is not because money supply is increasing, but because governments look to rising inflation to finance government. Governments don't want to be obliged to raise taxes. This was why it was so hard for the Japanese government to raise taxes. It would have been felt by the people. This is not a concern in other Western economies, where economic activity in rising, population is growing. Japan was unable to rely on these forms of stimulus because of its conservative people. The government was confronted with an unpopular choice - allow relaxed immigration, raise taxes or print money. It decided to print money and raise taxes. It scarcely delivered on the reform it promised.

You might wonder whether we need to be worried about rising interest rates. The answer is no. The Fed might well allow interest rates to rise, but they will never be allowed to rise more than enough to squash rampant speculation. The housing market is not overly priced. Current price levels are sustainable because there is simply no reason for raising rates, and current prices are actually reasons not to 'scare asset markets'.

Deflation is not actually bad; its just bad for government. Deflation is a natural inclination for markets because its a signal of rising purchasing power that is associated with wealth creation. It is not however conducive to governments raising revenue, so governments like some 'healthy inflation', or easily-won taxation. Governments don't like to have to qualify their actions because we have so little trust in them.

Over the years, this ebook has been enhanced with additional research to offer a comprehensive appraisal of the Japanese foreclosed property market, as well as offering economic and industry analysis. The author travels to Japan regularly to keep abreast of the local market conditions, and has purchased several foreclosed properties, as well as bidding on others. Japan is one of the few markets offering high-yielding property investment opportunities. Contrary to the 'rural depopulation' scepticism, the urban centres are growing, and they have always been a magnet for expatriates in Asia. Japan is a place where expats, investors (big or small) can make highly profitable real estate investments. Japan is a large market, with a plethora of cheap properties up for tender by the courts. Few other Western nations offer such cheap property so close to major infrastructure. Japan is unique in this respect, and it offers such a different life experience, which also makes it special. There is a plethora of property is depopulating rural areas, however there are fortnightly tenders offering plenty of property in Japan's cities as well. I bought a dormitory 1hr from Tokyo for just $US30,000.You can view foreclosed properties listed for as little as $US10,000 in Japan thanks to depopulation and a culture that is geared towards working for the state. I bought foreclosed properties in Japan and now I reveal all in our expanded 350+page report. The information you need to know, strategies to apply, where to get help, and the tools to use. We even help you avoid the tsunami and nuclear risks since I was a geologist/mining finance analyst in a past life. Check out the "feedback" in our blog for stories of success by customers of our previous reports.

The Philippines property market remains one of the strongest in Asia thanks to rising incomes, rising population and rapid rates of urbanisation. The administrative reforms of the Arroyo government have given way to improved administration under Aquino. ASEAN countries can be expected to achieve even greater price gains than Western markets, demonstrating that this super cycle is far from over. Buying Philippines Property 2010 - Downloadthe table of contents or buy this 2-volume eBook at our online store for just $US19.95.

Investment Strategy

If you are investing for the long term, you still need an investment strategy. Dont be fooled by the rhetoric of fund managers. The reason they advise you to 'buy & hold' is because they dont want to compete with you in sell-offs. Markets and industrial sectors are cyclical, so they demand trading to get the best returns. Fund managers actually cant hope to match the performance of small investors (if you are half good) because they have to manage huge amounts of funds and charge you a fee besides.MY ADVICE is (i) look at a range of market indices and decide upon what level of correction would give you the justification you need to get in & out of the market. It might be a 5-10% retracement or a break of trend. (ii) Diversify if you dont have an intimate knowledge of the company or management. More than 30% in one company is aggressive.

The NZ property market is shaping up as one of the most attractive property investment markets for the next few years. High yielding property and the collapse of the NZD make NZ the perfect counter-cyclical investment if you buy right! In addition, there is no capital gains tax, transfer taxes, VAT/GST or wealth taxes in NZ, so rest assured that NZ property is tax-effective! Learn more now!

Topic-Related Links

Pertinent Indices - US only

Over the years, this ebook has been enhanced with additional research to offer a comprehensive appraisal of the Japanese foreclosed property market, as well as offering economic and industry analysis. The author travels to Japan regularly to keep abreast of the local market conditions, and has purchased several foreclosed properties, as well as bidding on others. Japan is one of the few markets offering high-yielding property investment opportunities. Contrary to the 'rural depopulation' scepticism, the urban centres are growing, and they have always been a magnet for expatriates in Asia. Japan is a place where expats, investors (big or small) can make highly profitable real estate investments. Japan is a large market, with a plethora of cheap properties up for tender by the courts. Few other Western nations offer such cheap property so close to major infrastructure. Japan is unique in this respect, and it offers such a different life experience, which also makes it special. There is a plethora of property is depopulating rural areas, however there are fortnightly tenders offering plenty of property in Japan's cities as well. I bought a dormitory 1hr from Tokyo for just $US30,000.You can view foreclosed properties listed for as little as $US10,000 in Japan thanks to depopulation and a culture that is geared towards working for the state. I bought foreclosed properties in Japan and now I reveal all in our expanded 350+page report. The information you need to know, strategies to apply, where to get help, and the tools to use. We even help you avoid the tsunami and nuclear risks since I was a geologist/mining finance analyst in a past life. Check out the "feedback" in our blog for stories of success by customers of our previous reports.